Warrnambool export Trevor Gleeson will be hoping the Perth Wildcats defence will return to its best after a slack performance in game two of the NBL grand final series against Melbourne United on Sunday. After the game the three-time NBL champion coach slammed his side's effort, saying his players “feet were in mud" during the 92-74 defeat. The 51-year-old put out the warning to his players to improve ahead of game three in Perth on Friday and the fourth game in Melbourne on Sunday. “I don’t think we had enough desire to get the ball, which is disappointing,” the former NBL Coach of the Year winner said. “You’re in this finals environment and you’re getting outworked and to beat Melbourne in Melbourne you’ve got to get those things. “A 50-50 ball that we miss, they get it back, hit a three, the crowd gets involved and it energises them for the next two or three plays. We didn’t do a good job of doing that." Gleeson, who is hoping to lead Perth to its ninth championship victory, said the solution came back to the mental state of his players rather than the physicality of the five-game series. "Our mindset was not where it was meant to be," he said. "We certainly have to take care of the ball as I thought we were also loose with the ball with soft turnovers and you can't afford that against a team like this." The third game of the series tips off at 10.35pm (AEDT) on Friday. RELATED: Warrnambool export one step closer to NBL championship RELATED: Wildcats leader's contract discussions on hold until seasons end Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.

Trevor Gleeson slams Perth Wildcats NBL final performance

LIFT: Trevor Gleeson has called for his team to repsond to a sluggish defencive performance in game two of the NBL grand final seires. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

Warrnambool export Trevor Gleeson will be hoping the Perth Wildcats defence will return to its best after a slack performance in game two of the NBL grand final series against Melbourne United on Sunday.

After the game the three-time NBL champion coach slammed his side's effort, saying his players “feet were in mud" during the 92-74 defeat.

The 51-year-old put out the warning to his players to improve ahead of game three in Perth on Friday and the fourth game in Melbourne on Sunday.

“I don’t think we had enough desire to get the ball, which is disappointing,” the former NBL Coach of the Year winner said.

“You’re in this finals environment and you’re getting outworked and to beat Melbourne in Melbourne you’ve got to get those things.

“A 50-50 ball that we miss, they get it back, hit a three, the crowd gets involved and it energises them for the next two or three plays. We didn’t do a good job of doing that."

Gleeson, who is hoping to lead Perth to its ninth championship victory, said the solution came back to the mental state of his players rather than the physicality of the five-game series.

"Our mindset was not where it was meant to be," he said. "We certainly have to take care of the ball as I thought we were also loose with the ball with soft turnovers and you can't afford that against a team like this."